Song of the Day

Just to clarify this is stems from Barstool Sports "Wake Up With" series. I have enjoyed that site for almost seven years now, and like this recurring post.

An old school video of Smokey and The Miracles singing one of their biggest hits. Might be because I am a little homesick, but I never need an excuse to listen to some Smokey. Have a good one!

Eleven Years In The Making

(Etihad Stadium)

For this post when I refer to 'Football' it is in regards to what some call 'soccer.' I do this because I live in a country that uses the term football, so therefore I use it. It's called 'assimilation,' so if you complain just stay in places where you call it soccer, because no one will want to hear you walk around telling everyone 'Well where I come from we call em French Fries!'

Eleven or so years ago I thought I would give football fandom a try. I was finishing up university and my one roommate would watch all the time. Up until this point the only English team I had ever heard of was Manchester United and David Beckham and was absolutely sick of it. When ESPN did show highlights it was only of that club and 90% of the time it was Beckham. If you're going to force something on me I will grow to resent it, which is exactly what happened.

Now my football watching roommate was an Ajax (Dutch League) fan, but would watch English Premier League on occasion. One time just as I sat down some hack on ManU flopped like a fish that just landed in a boat. I asked him 'Who is ManU's biggest rival?' He listed out some other teams like Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool. My follow-up question was 'Which fan base just despises them though?' I'll never for get his answer: 'Well that would be Manchester City, but they're shit.' 

I have never been one to pick a team based on record alone, I mean I am a Detroit Lions fan. However, my fandom for Manchester City was born right then and there. I already enjoyed their stance on the club across town, and just enjoyed it more and more as I dug deeper into their history. 

As football's popularity has grown in the US, I was able to watch more and more matches, and even playing the FIFA games has helped me know who is on what team, and about other leagues. I even began to have access to apparel and forums where I could discuss City's matches, transfers and anything I spent years wanting to discuss but had no one else to talk to. 

This past weekend, March 5, 2016, I was able to attend my first City match. Making our way to the Etihad (got my buddy from Dublin to join me) was an incredible experience. Seeing the place I had viewed so many times on a television, thousands of miles away was now directly in front of me. It was surreal. I saw the spot where Aguerooooooooo brought the trophy back after 40+ years. I saw the man play in person, and he is even more incredible in the flesh. Silva, Yaya, Hart, and El Capitane himself, Vincent Kompany all in front of me. I still haven't gotten over the high of it all.

Manchester itself was a great time. The people, the ease of getting around the city and the prices (much cheaper than London) made this a great experience. I never got over seeing all sorts of City apparel around town. I got a few confused looks as I stared too long, but I mean I SAW PEOPLE IN ACTUAL CITY APPAREL. It was like a dream, one I hope to repeat as often as possible. 

So I Live In London Now

(View just down from my office)

So I know its been quite awhile since my last post, and for good reason. I hate making excuses but shortly after my last post I got into negotiations about a new position with my company. Fast forward three and a half months through a lot of decision-making, and paperwork, and I have now lived in London for just over one month. Its all still sinking in really.

The job itself has been great. I have much more freedom of how I approach projects, as well as in how I execute them. Our London office is a five minute walk from London Tower Bridge, and everyday there is something new to see and experience. I went from talking the streetcar through Portland on Friday, and the next Tuesday I was on the tube heading to London Bridge Station. The other day I had to pick up some professional clothes (new office dress code is a bit more professional than PDX) and decided to walk since it was such a nice night. I walked past Buckingham Palace, at sunset. It was definitely one of those "Oh yeah, I live in f***ing London now!"

Since my arrival I have already spent two days in The Netherlands, and on my third day in Germany. I've stayed in four hotels, and barely use a full week's travel pass for London due to all the travel. While it's been a bit daunting, its also been fun to get to know a whole segment of the company which I had previously only emailed with. I think once I get some more permanent/long-term housing in place it will be easier to handle. 

My goal with this blog is to now document my travels, and experiences as I go. With my new, expanded vacation allowance (thank you UK!) I plan on seeing as much of Europe as I can. I am already booked to see a good friend in Paris over Easter, and heading to Manchester this weekend for my first ever match at the Etihad with another old friend.

A lot has already happened, and a lot more is not far off. Hopefully all these new happenings will allow me less time organising and researching posts, and speed up my turnaround times. Cheers!